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The Shock of Survival
In the wake of the final battle against The Oppressor, Benedict, Ophelia and Dylan face their magical community in triumph. But that triumph rapidly loses its shine as they realise the war is not so easily left behind. Returning to, and relearning, the lives they had before proves to be more difficult than even they had anticipated.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2016
56 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Field
19 books155 followersNicole has been writing since they were handed a floppy disc and told how many Word documents could fit on it. They write across the spectrum of sexuality and gender identity in multiple genres, and live in Melbourne with their husband, two cats and a whole lot of books. Probably drinking right now from a bottomless cup of tea.
They can be found on Bluesky: @faerywhimsy and Wordpress: nicolefieldwrites.wordpress.com.
Their books are available on: Amazon | Publisher | B&N | Smashwords | Netgalley
They can be found on Bluesky: @faerywhimsy and Wordpress: nicolefieldwrites.wordpress.com.
Their books are available on: Amazon | Publisher | B&N | Smashwords | Netgalley
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 4, 2025
I received a copy of The Shock of Survival in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed The Shock of Survival. The premise of the book is simple enough: Three heroes – Ophelia Grey, Benedict Whitford and Dylan Hargrove – try to return to their lives after defeating The Oppressor. This book has a brilliant concept. From the very first page, this book had me enthralled. The story was captivating. This book had my attention right up until the end.
I liked that this book wasn’t just focused on a romance, the story had other focus’ as well. The romance never took away from the story but instead just added another layer of depth.
I also really liked the characters, and the development put into each of them. They’re all distinct and unique and have their own personalities. I also enjoyed the setting of this book, I haven’t read many books set in Scotland. This is set in Inverness, which is a city in Scotland.
The writing is very simple, but the emotional aspect was definitely there. The writing could maybe have been done with a bit more showing and a bit less telling, but most of the characters felt realistic, and I really enjoyed the different kinds of relationships they developed with each other.
The story reveals many aspects of the fight against The Oppressor, but doesn’t dwell on The Oppressor. We get a few glimpses of character development told in flashbacks. The relationships between the trio before and after the battle with The Oppressor are well done.
Overall I enjoyed this book, It’s a quick, easy read. The Shock of Survival is a really short and easy read that gets your attention from the get go. Definitely an interesting read, and I found myself absolutely loving every aspect of it. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Fantasy or Urban Fantasy genre. Or if your looking for a quick, light LGBT read, with a great storyline, I highly recommend reading this.
Review: Drink Coffee And Read Books
I enjoyed The Shock of Survival. The premise of the book is simple enough: Three heroes – Ophelia Grey, Benedict Whitford and Dylan Hargrove – try to return to their lives after defeating The Oppressor. This book has a brilliant concept. From the very first page, this book had me enthralled. The story was captivating. This book had my attention right up until the end.
I liked that this book wasn’t just focused on a romance, the story had other focus’ as well. The romance never took away from the story but instead just added another layer of depth.
I also really liked the characters, and the development put into each of them. They’re all distinct and unique and have their own personalities. I also enjoyed the setting of this book, I haven’t read many books set in Scotland. This is set in Inverness, which is a city in Scotland.
The writing is very simple, but the emotional aspect was definitely there. The writing could maybe have been done with a bit more showing and a bit less telling, but most of the characters felt realistic, and I really enjoyed the different kinds of relationships they developed with each other.
The story reveals many aspects of the fight against The Oppressor, but doesn’t dwell on The Oppressor. We get a few glimpses of character development told in flashbacks. The relationships between the trio before and after the battle with The Oppressor are well done.
Overall I enjoyed this book, It’s a quick, easy read. The Shock of Survival is a really short and easy read that gets your attention from the get go. Definitely an interesting read, and I found myself absolutely loving every aspect of it. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Fantasy or Urban Fantasy genre. Or if your looking for a quick, light LGBT read, with a great storyline, I highly recommend reading this.
Review: Drink Coffee And Read Books
June 9, 2017
Overall, this was a good story, but it would have been better served with more editing and more length.
Check out the full review on my blog!
Check out the full review on my blog!
December 3, 2016
This is definitely not your average YA story. The war is over, but we're not talking a blasted-wasteland-of-doom scenario here. Field gives us a society in the process of rebuilding itself; in a sense, trying to find its identity again. Her main characters - Ophelia, Benedict, and Dylan - may have been heroes of the war, but they're not immune to the same crises as everyone around them. Unlike the majority, however, they only have each other to hold onto, because the very thing that made them heroes - their magical ability - is what keeps them from becoming part of this new world.
One thing I thought was very interesting was the hint that the magicians' college exploited and encouraged polyamory in order to build better fighting groups. You got that across well, while still giving a clear message that the relationships were genuine and love-based (and strong enough to withstand all those external pressures). Not an easy line to walk, but Field manages the nuances really well. Perhaps most satisfying is the way she introduces the reader to polyamory without ever resorting to either preaching or tedious exposition. Her explanations are simple and satisfying, and easy for anyone unfamiliar with the concept to grasp.
Although this is apparently a stand-alone story, I can't help hoping the author will show us more of this world. I believe there's far more to be discovered . Even if she doesn't revisit her original characters (although my fingers are crossed that she will show us more of Dylan's story), there are stories lurking just below the surface.
One thing I thought was very interesting was the hint that the magicians' college exploited and encouraged polyamory in order to build better fighting groups. You got that across well, while still giving a clear message that the relationships were genuine and love-based (and strong enough to withstand all those external pressures). Not an easy line to walk, but Field manages the nuances really well. Perhaps most satisfying is the way she introduces the reader to polyamory without ever resorting to either preaching or tedious exposition. Her explanations are simple and satisfying, and easy for anyone unfamiliar with the concept to grasp.
Although this is apparently a stand-alone story, I can't help hoping the author will show us more of this world. I believe there's far more to be discovered . Even if she doesn't revisit her original characters (although my fingers are crossed that she will show us more of Dylan's story), there are stories lurking just below the surface.
November 22, 2016
I enjoyed The Shock of Survival. When I saw it on NetGalley, I noticed that it was from LT3, and have read a few works from this publisher in the past. Everything I’ve read thus far from LT3 have been solid stories.
The premise of the book is simple enough: Three heroes try to return to their lives after defeating The Oppressor. I’ve often wondered this about stories I’ve enjoyed. The aftermath of their heroic deeds has to change them. I mean, after you defeat the villain, aliens or evil robot with murderous AI, what do you do?
The Shock of Survival has an almost Harry Potter vibe to it with those that can wield magic, and those that cannot. After doing the great deed, our heroes have to quell yet another, albeit not earth-shattering, crisis.
The story reveals many aspects of the fight against The Oppressor, but doesn’t dwell on The Oppressor, or why so many wizards died trying to defeat him. I think if the author had revealed any more information, I might have been disappointed. We get a few glimpses of character development told in flashbacks. The relationships between the trio before and after the battle with The Oppressor are well done.
Definitely an interesting read, and I would recommend this to those that like the Harry Potter universe. Four stars!
The premise of the book is simple enough: Three heroes try to return to their lives after defeating The Oppressor. I’ve often wondered this about stories I’ve enjoyed. The aftermath of their heroic deeds has to change them. I mean, after you defeat the villain, aliens or evil robot with murderous AI, what do you do?
The Shock of Survival has an almost Harry Potter vibe to it with those that can wield magic, and those that cannot. After doing the great deed, our heroes have to quell yet another, albeit not earth-shattering, crisis.
The story reveals many aspects of the fight against The Oppressor, but doesn’t dwell on The Oppressor, or why so many wizards died trying to defeat him. I think if the author had revealed any more information, I might have been disappointed. We get a few glimpses of character development told in flashbacks. The relationships between the trio before and after the battle with The Oppressor are well done.
Definitely an interesting read, and I would recommend this to those that like the Harry Potter universe. Four stars!
February 7, 2017
Great premise and a solid emotional heart.
This novella deals with the aftermath of overthrowing a regime when you're young and idealistic and do it like all the stories tell you to. It about not being sure what you've gotten yourself into until you're in way too deep and everything's worse than you could have ever imagined. And about how you live with yourself and the people who both lived through it with you and didn't. It's about the aftermath.
The emotions and ideas here were really strong. It's a character-driven story and I loved how the different characters dealt with their experiences differently and seeing how they had changed from before the war and after. The world was also an original spin on the "magical world right under our noses" stuff I love so much and it felt *big* and well-realised.
This is an #ownvoices story and the polyamorous relationship is dealt with respectfully and well. You can feel the love and how the relationship works for everyone involved in it.
I would have lived a bit more depth in the present conflict story, but I get that that wasn't the focus of the book. It's about people dealing with terrible things and how they work through that and it did a great job of it.
3.5 stars
This novella deals with the aftermath of overthrowing a regime when you're young and idealistic and do it like all the stories tell you to. It about not being sure what you've gotten yourself into until you're in way too deep and everything's worse than you could have ever imagined. And about how you live with yourself and the people who both lived through it with you and didn't. It's about the aftermath.
The emotions and ideas here were really strong. It's a character-driven story and I loved how the different characters dealt with their experiences differently and seeing how they had changed from before the war and after. The world was also an original spin on the "magical world right under our noses" stuff I love so much and it felt *big* and well-realised.
This is an #ownvoices story and the polyamorous relationship is dealt with respectfully and well. You can feel the love and how the relationship works for everyone involved in it.
I would have lived a bit more depth in the present conflict story, but I get that that wasn't the focus of the book. It's about people dealing with terrible things and how they work through that and it did a great job of it.
3.5 stars
December 20, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this, it had the right mix between dealing with the changes in yourself and others after a traumatic event, and fleshed out the past in a really interesting way.
The only problem I had with this is that I read it too fast so I had to go back multiple times and reread sentences, which is more my problem than anything else.
10/10 would recommend :D
The only problem I had with this is that I read it too fast so I had to go back multiple times and reread sentences, which is more my problem than anything else.
10/10 would recommend :D
December 24, 2016
I enjoyed this exploration of what happens after the big magical war has been won. The reintegration into everyday life and the characters working out where they fit now. Full of magic with a smattering of romance, a unique story in a unique setting.
October 1, 2018
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Personally, I've always been interested in books that continue where other stories may leave off, the books that ask "Okay, but what happen after the big event?" (if you feel the same, I can also recommend Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire), and this book has a brilliant concept in that regard. We're all familiar with the YA dystopias with teen protagonists who have skills no one else has and are therefore thrust into a high-stakes conflict (which they tend to win). The Shock Of Survival asks "What happens after these teens, who have fought and battled and killed together for over a year, what happens after they return victorious to a world that maybe doesn't fit them anymore?". The writing could maybe have done with a bit more showing and a bit less telling, but most of the characters felt realistic, and I really enjoyed the different kinds of relationships they developed with each other.
Personally, I've always been interested in books that continue where other stories may leave off, the books that ask "Okay, but what happen after the big event?" (if you feel the same, I can also recommend Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire), and this book has a brilliant concept in that regard. We're all familiar with the YA dystopias with teen protagonists who have skills no one else has and are therefore thrust into a high-stakes conflict (which they tend to win). The Shock Of Survival asks "What happens after these teens, who have fought and battled and killed together for over a year, what happens after they return victorious to a world that maybe doesn't fit them anymore?". The writing could maybe have done with a bit more showing and a bit less telling, but most of the characters felt realistic, and I really enjoyed the different kinds of relationships they developed with each other.
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February 5, 2017This book is an entry in the Aurealis Awards for 2016, for which I am a judge. Any review will be withheld until the results of the awards are announced.
January 8, 2017
Shock of Survival was good, but not great. I wouldn't call it bad though. It was just plain old eh. I feel like I've read it 500 times before. It legit just felt like a weird jumble of Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter, and Carry On. Overall, the worldbuilding was weak and the ending was sort of confusing.
Also posted on: https://bookishlythinking.com/
Also posted on: https://bookishlythinking.com/
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews